Predictive delay-centric handover for video streaming over SCTP

Video streaming is one of the most important applications of Internet Protocol (IP) networks nowadays. The growth in demand for video streaming services with higher resolution and quality pushes the development of techniques to deliver the best possible quality to users. The Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP), with its ability to support multi-homing systems, has been proposed as an alternative to the transport layer protocols in use. In this article, we propose a new handover strategy using partial reliability extension of SCTP and Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD). This strategy is designed to preserve the quality of video streaming over IP networks. The proposed method is based on forecasting the end-to-end delay and switching the primary path before an increase in delay impairs the quality of the video. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated through computer simulations which considers handover between ADSL, WiFi, and 3G networks. The results show that the handover scheme provides better quality of experience for low- and medium-motion videos and no worse performance for high-motion videos.